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Vikings Sign DE, Release Ideal Danielle Hunter Replacement After SetbackBy Trevor Squire
Updated Nov 5, 2021 at 5:05pm
The Vikings signed Nate Orchard (left) after Jonah Williams failed his physical on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.
The Minnesota Vikings had an ideal Danielle Hunter replacement waiting in the wings, but a significant setback sent the Vikings back to the drawing board.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jonah Williams was deemed a high-priority waiver add with the Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers all filing waiver claims for the second-year lineman. The Vikings won waiver priority over the Cardinals and Chargers, sending Williams to Minnesota, where the Vikings awaited a routine physical before signing him.
The physical didn’t go as planned.
Williams Fails Physical Due to Hernia
The Vikings released Williams unexpectedly on Thursday after he failed his team physical.
“Source said that DE Jonah Williams, who was claimed off waivers by the #Vikings on Wednesday, did not pass his physical on Thursday due to a hernia. That’s why he won’t be joining the Vikings,” the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson reported Thursday night.
The Vikings opted to sign veteran defensive end Nathan Orchard on Thursday. However, Williams had a strong chance of making an impact.
An uber-athletic lineman who can play any position on the defensive front, Williams ran a 4.67 40-time at his pro day, which would have ranked third among defensive linemen in the 2020 draft. His bench (30 reps), 20-yard shuttle (4.14 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.8 seconds) were all better than Hunter’s combine performances in 2017.
D.J. Wonnum figures to be the starter opposite of Everson Griffen for the remainder of the season. Patrick Jones II and Kenny Willekes could see some playing time while Orchard learns the defensive playbook.
